March 22, 2011
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By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team returns to the friendly confines of the UCF Softball Complex Wednesday to host Kent State in a mid-week non-conference contest. First pitch for the game is set for 7 p.m.
The first 75 fans through the gate for Wednesday's match-up vs. the Golden Flashes will receive a free pair of UCF neon sunglasses as the Knights celebrate 80's night at the ballpark.
The Black and Gold enters the contest with a 10-20 record on the season and a 2-4 Conference USA clip after posting a 1-3 record last week in games against Liberty at home and C-USA-foe Tulsa on the road. Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) paced the Knights offensively during the four contests, posting a .429 batting average with a home run, two runs scored, five walks, a hit by pitch and two stolen bases.
Land currently ranks third in C-USA in overall batting average (.356) and leads the league in triples (5). The junior also ranks second in slugging percentage (.621), total bases (54) and stolen bases (14).
Diana Rojas (Miami, Fla.) was UCF's top pitcher for the week, as she recorded a 1.75 ERA with five strikeouts in 8.0 innings of relief for the Knights. The hurler leads the league in relief appearances (12), while also ranking second in overall appearances (21) and games finished (9).
Kent State comes to Orlando with a 7-15 record on the year following competition in the South Florida Invitational last weekend. During the tournament, the Golden Flashes defeated Rutgers, while falling to Boston University, Oklahoma State, Florida A&M and Florida Gulf Coast.
Lauren Grimes is Kent State's top hitter, as the sophomore leads the squad with a .391 batting average, 31 hits, nine doubles and 15 runs scored. In the circle, Lauren McNeil has seen the most time for the Golden Flashes. The hurler boasts a 2-7 record with a team-best 3.35 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.
UCF holds a 1-0 advantage over Kent State in the all-time series, with the Black and Gold posting a 4-2 victory as part of the UCF Invitational in 2005.
Following UCF's mid-week contest vs. Kent State, the Knights will host UAB at the UCF Softball Complex in C-USA action Saturday and Sunday. The doubleheader on Saturday will also serve as Alumni Day as the Black and Gold commemorate its 10-year anniversary as a program. Former Knights will watch as UCF takes on the Blazers, before enjoying a post-game party at The Moat Sports Grille, which will feature a slideshow of pictures from the last 10 years courtesy of the UCF Alumni Association.
The Knights have 11 home games remaining on their 2011 schedule, including a contest vs. in-state rival Florida State on April 6, with season tickets for the season costing only $40. Tickets are available for purchase online at UCFAthletics.com and Ticketmaster.com, or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.